^ Yeah because there are millions of nursing homes.

Once again, this is difficult to answer ... A lot of people define a "Core" game in such a way that it is a game that only (really) appeals to a very small minority (say 20%) of existing gamers. This leaves us with a problem being that people are fixating on two small demographics (Core and Expanded) and missing what the majority of gamers really want, and/or really buy.

I would say at least 50% are from the expanded audiences. Otherwise it wouldn't make sense that the Wii is gaining so many core gamers since many of the core games are basically new installments of existing franchises that were also on the Gamecube.

This is (more or less) what I was talking about in my previous post ...

Most people would not define a game like Lego Star Wars as being a "Core" game, and it (certainly) isn't a game that is targeted towards the expanded audience; some people will (probably) define it as "Casual" or "Kiddie" without any consideration of what those labels mean.

People (seem to) fixate on te games that are multi-million sellers and think that these games are representative of what most people play... The truth is that most people's libraries are full of games that never saw 500,000 unit sales worldwide.

Nearly impossible to say. The only evidence I could supply is anecdotal, which would be highly unrepresentative at best. That being said, 5/8 people I know that have a Wii could be considered part of the expanded audience. So, according to my limited information exactly 62.5% of Wii purchases are accredited to this expanded audience.

Of course I don't necessarily believe this, just trying to illustrate that any number we give is simply a guess based off what our experiences are.

But to answer your question, yes, I do believe this 'expanded' audience makes up a fairly large peice of the pie.

I am not from the expanded audience. I have owned every Nintendo, Sony & MS console (Except the Virtual Boy) released in NA.

However due to the Wii mote controls I have purchased more titles for the Wii than any other console I've ever owned. I find the Wii controls (when done properly, Hi Red Steel) have really made me interested in genres & franchises I've never had an interest in (MOH:H2, PES, I'm even excited about EA's sports lineup this year). So the Wii has made my game spending to Nintendo's third parties increase a lot. Last gen most of my third party $ went to Sony's titles.

However I have at least 6 friends who never cared about games the last several gens who all have Wii's now. Age range 31 - 43, 2 male, 4 female. All parents, but interestingly enough all bought the Wii for themselves, the kids play less than the parents. 5 of those 6 have Guitar Hero III, 4 of them have Wii Fit, 3 of them have DDR Hottest Party, 3 have mario Kart, though that number would be higher if the others could actually find it available in stores. These are all definitely expanded market purchases. 2 of these 6 bought a DS several months after their Wii purchase.

I also have 3 long time gamer friends who only buy 1 console each generation, 2 had PS2, 1 had Xbox last gen. All 3 have Wii this gen. Not one of these long time gamers bought it due to price. It was the Wiimote that brought them back to Nintendo. 2 of these 3 last had a Nintendo console with super NES, 1 had an N64.

I only know 1 other person under 30 with an HD console, and it's a 360. I know a lot of people 20 to 30 with one or both HD consoles. All are male, all own them for shooters.

Speaking of expanded market, I do know one couple in their 40's who just bought their first gaming system ever, and it was not a Wii. They bought a PS2 Singstar white bundle and several other Singstar games, as well as 4 DDR games. The odd thing to me here is that they have 2 children (aged 4 and 7) and played a Wii & Ps2 at my house (mostly Wii Sports, Buzz, and a few other titles I have for when company is over. Their kids love Wii Sports & MKWii, but they chose the PS2 because they wanted Singstar. They bought Cars for the two children, but the kids didn't like the dual shock controller after using the Wii Wheel. Funny thing is that the PS2 price had nothing to do with the purchase, both of them are doctors, and one also has a law degree. They looked at a PS3 (Singstar), but chose the PS2 because the PS3 didn't haave enough casual titles for them.  

I'm taking a cue from the Kinsey institute.

I think there is a range a casuality.

Of course a gamer can shift from one area to another on this chart.

0 - Doesn't play games.

Casual (Still self conscious about being associated with videogames in the larger spectrum):

1 - Totally casual, plays video games like they would darts or bowling or a board games. Game Party, Wii Sports.

2 - Mostly casual, plays games with a little more competition or self satisfaction. Tertis, Jewel Quest. Many in this category commit lots of time.

The bridge:

3 - Moderately Casual, plays somewhat complicated games but only with groups or short periods of time by them self.  Some music gamers, puzzle gamers, fighters, sports, racers.  Some play once in a while others are obsessed with the one game.

4 - Moderately Core, plays somewhat complicated games with groups for longer periods of time.  Some music gamers, puzzle gamers, fighters, sports, racers.  Some play once in a while others are obsessed with the one game.  More willing to talk about gaming in general.

Core:

5 - Mostly core, plays many different types of games.  Plays often and for long periods of time by them self.  Eager to talk about gaming.

6 - Core Gamer, plays many different types of games.  Plays often and for long periods of time.  Eager to talk about gaming and uses esoteric jargon. Buys and rents lots of games if they can afford it.

Hardcore:

7- Hardcore Gamer, life revolves around playing, talking about, and living out games.

8 - Snobcore, talks more about games than they actually play.  Likes brown and grey.  Likes to bitch.

Fanboys tend to fall into 4 or 8.

A large chunk belongs to the expanded audience, my shot is 45%...

I bet about half of the "expanded audience" are previous Nintendo palyers who had moved on from gaming, and the other half are new to gaming.

But I really have no idea what percentage of Wii owners are expanded audience. I would say it's probably between 30 to 40%. I would say another big chunk are previous PS2 owners (who played the PS2's casual titles) who moved onto to Wii instead of an HD console.

I think most Xbox owners became 360 owners, or Wii60 owners.

I think most Wii owners come from 3 categories.

1. Nintendo fan
2. New to gaming.
3. Previously owned a PS2

I think P3 owners come from 2 categories.

1. PS2 owner
2. BluRay early adaptor.

And I believe 360 owners come from 2 categories.

1. PS2 owner
2. Xbox owner.

I think Nintendo gets 90+ % of new gamers, PS3 gets less than 10%, Xbox gets very few new gamers....

I am from the expanded audience. I own the PS3, Xbox 360 and a Wii. So I consider myself the core member.